Ministry of Health steps up disease prevention with healthy eating initiatives

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) is stepping up on disease prevention through a slew of initiatives ranging from awareness campaigns to a S$20 million investment to promote healthier ingredients.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) will invest S$20 million over three years on the Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme (HIDS) from July 1 this year.

Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat on Thursday said during the Committee of Supply debate that the scheme will build on HPB's earlier Healthier Ingredient Scheme pilot and focus on introducing whole grains in rice and noodles, and healthier cooking oil.

The idea is to incentivise food ingredient manufacturers and suppliers to develop better quality and greater varieties of healthier staples, and promote their adoption among food and beverage businesses and consumers.

Over on the side of the public sector, healthier catering guidelines will be implemented from April 1, 2017 to encourage healthier diets.

MOH will also roll out a Diabetes Risk Assessment (DRA) tool from September, Mr Chee said, to help Singaporeans below the age of 40 assess their risk for undiagnosed diabetes. This assessment will determine if they should go for diabetes screening.

Also from September this year, MOH will enhance government subsidies for the Screen for Life programme to encourage more Singaporeans to go for screening and post-screening consultation at CHAS clinics.